as i've shared my experience of having dealt with that hurt, offence, bitterness and betrayal of those whom i'd worked with and for. i know i've been open and honest with that particular experience, however, allow me to share some vital things that i've learned through this and other situations in which i've put himself in to show how i WAS and quite possibly you may either see yourself in, whether past or present, but hopefully NOT in the future.
in john bevere's book the bait of satan, i learned ALOT about myself. the reason offence is rampant among believers and church leaders is a lack of genuine love. so many are snared in this deceptive trap (of offence) that we have almost come to believe it is a normal way of life. those whom we sit with and sing alongside, or perhaps it is the one who is delivering the sermon. we spend holidays, attend social functions, and share offices with them. or perhaps it's closer. we grow up with, confide in, and sleep next to them. however, the truth of the matter is, the closer the relationship, the more severe the offence! you find the greatest hatred among people who were once close. ironically, when offence does occur, we believe we are the only ones who have been wronged and what a deception that is. when a person is deceived, he believes he is right even though he is not. no matter what the scenario, we can divide all offended people into two major categories: (1) those who have been treated unjustly or (2) those who believe they have been treated unjustly.
people in the second category believe with all their heart that they have been wronged. often their conclusions are drawn from inaccurate information. or their information is accurate, but their conclusion is distorted. either way, they hurt and their understanding is darkened. they judge by assumption, appearance, and here say. often, pride tends to be the centerpiece of offence. pride keeps you from dealing with truth. pride hardens your heart and dims the eyes of your understanding. because you believe you are innocent and falsely accused, you hold back forgiveness. though your true heart condition is hidden from you, it is not hidden from God. just because you were mistreated, you do not have permission to hold on to an offense. two wrongs don't make a right! too many times when we are offended we see ourselves as victims and blame those who hurt us. we justify our bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, envy, and resentment as they surface. when we blame others and defend our own position, we truly are blind.
i challenge you to conduct a small self evaluation of your heart. think about it and see the links between where you've been before or quite possibly where your at right now as it relates to this deadly trap. my position in this is not to judge, because in all honesty, who am i? but i do want for you to think about how this could play out in your own life. more to come on monday's entry.
